$show=/p/fifa-world-cup.html

Foxes Thump Black Cats, Everton Hold Watford in 3pm Kickoffs

SHARE:

Date: Saturday 8 August 2015Kickoffs: 3pmIt was quite the opening day in the best league in the world. Leicester City's annihilation of shoddy Sunderland, Everton score twice to hold newcomers Watford, Crystal Palace's immaculate start and Rudy Gestede's dream debut to dampen Bournemouth spirits. Here, we recap all 4 games from the first 3pm kickoffs of the season.Bournemouth 0 - 1 Aston VillaGestede (72')Newcomers Bournemouth started promisingly; stringing together some stunning passes and putting Sherwood's side under pressure. However, as the second half progressed it became apparent they were tiring. They had been defiant at the back, but just couldn't prevent new-signing Rudy Gestede from marking his debut with what turned out to be a winning goal. The former Blackburn striker met the corner and planted a superb header home. Dream start!

More: Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur match reportEverton 2 - 2 WatfordLayun (14'), Barkley (76'), Ighalo (83'), Kone (86') Roberto Martinez's dream scenario of putting an underwhelming season behind him last time out was hindered as a tidy half volley from Miguel Layun silenced Goodison Park. Despite their shaky start, Everton equalized late on courtesy of a stunning strike from Ross Barkley. It was Arouna Kone who laid the youngster off, and he earned his teammate an assist with an absolutely thunderous drive; rifling into the back of the net. The home side were then initially looking to press on for the winner, but the unpredictability of the Premier League was epitomized when Odion Ighalo slotted past Tim Howard. He had John Stones on toast, twisting and turning, when the Watford man restored his side's lead. Everton had done well to get back on level terms earlier in the game, and it then seemed they caught the away side celebrating too early as Arouna Kone latched onto Romelu Lukaku's lay off to neatly tuck home and seal a late point for The Toffees.

Leicester City 4 - 2 SunderlandVardy (11'), Mahrez (18', 25' penalty), Defoe (60'), Albrighton (66'), Fletcher (71') The opening goal came just over ten minutes in; Albrighton's free-kick found Vardy who pounced high and planted the ball initially against the crossbar and then into goal. Shortly after, Ranieri's side doubled their lead and put a huge dampener on Sunderland's spirits as Mahrez jumped in on the action. Albrighton whipped another quality cross in, and his teammate planted a superb header past Pantilimon. Dick Advocaat's second season in charge turned out to take an absolutely hammering as they went three goals down after 25 minutes. Cattermole conceded a penalty after bundling Mahrez over in the area, and it only took one invitation for the man himself to tuck home and continue the early rout. Sunderland had been able to prevent any more goals, and their confidence actually arisen as experienced striker Jermain Defoe latched onto Adam Johnson's pass to slot a neat shot past Kasper Schmeichel. However, just six minutes later any hopes the Black Cats had of cutting the deficit were crushed as Marc Albrighton, outside the area, drilled a neat ball into the bottom corner. It had became a game of tig at the King Power Stadium, as whenever Leicester seemingly wrapped it up with that extra goal, Sunderland replied with their own reply. Steven Fletcher responded with a tidy finish after Defoe, goalscorer turned provider, assisted the Scotsman. A shock wasn't in store for Sunderland, though, as Claudio Ranieri earned his first competitive victory as Leicester manager.

Image: ESPNFC.com

Comment: Work cut out for United, SpursNorwich City 1 - 3 Crystal PalaceZaha (39'), Delaney (49'), Redmond (69'), Cabaye (90') Alan Pardew's men took the lead late in the first half as former Manchester United player Wilfried Zaha met Jason Puncheon's cross at the back post to rifle a neat volley home. Shortly after half-time, Norwich's hopes of avoiding first day defeat were seemingly dashed. Pape Souare smartly knocked down the ball for Damien Delaney to fire home inside the area. Palace began to sit back and admire their work, until Nathan Redmond rifled home a stunning strike from 25-yards. Wes Hoolahan fed the youngster and his bravery to go for glory was rewarded with a marvelous finish. Just as the home side felt they had a chance of a miraculous turnaround, Yohan Cabaye's class shone threw at Carrow Road as Alan Pardew's new signing linked up with his teammate well to strike home inside the area. Game, set and match.

It was quite the opening day in the best league in the world. Leicester City's annihilation of shoddy Sunderland, Everton score twice to hold newcomers Watford, Crystal Palace's immaculate start and Rudy Gestede's dream debut to dampen Bournemouth spirits.